Romans 11:7

Romans 11:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
• New International Version (NIV)What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,
• English Standard Version (ESV)What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
• New King James Version (NKJV)What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Context of Romans 11:7

5So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according to God’s gracious choice. 6But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works]. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking [that is, God’s favor by obedience to the Law], but the elect [those chosen few] obtained it, while the rest of them became hardened and callously indifferent; 8just as it is written [in Scripture], “God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, [a spiritual apathy that has continued] to this very day.” 9And David says, “Let their table (abundance) become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a retribution to them.

Romans 11:7 word by word

τί οὖν; ὃ ἐπιζητεῖ Ἰσραήλ, τοῦτο οὐκ ἐπέτυχεν, ἡ δὲ ἐκλογὴ ἐπέτυχεν· οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἐπωρώθησανRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• IsraelἸσραήλIsraēl · IsraelG2474
• hathἐπιτυγχάνωepitugchanō · to obtainG2013
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he seeketh forἐπιζητέωepizēteō · to seek afterG1934
• butδέde · thenG1161
• the electionἐκλογήeklogē · selectingG1589
• the restλοιπόςloipoi · remainingG3062
• were blindedπωρόωpōroō · to hardenG4456

Cross-references for Romans 11:7

• Romans 3:9Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.
• Romans 6:15What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we are not under Law, but under [God’s] grace? Certainly not!
• 1 Corinthians 10:19What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything [special or changed simply because it is offered], or that an idol is anything?
• Philippians 1:18What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well],
• Romans 9:31whereas Israel, [though always] pursuing the law of righteousness, did not succeed in fulfilling the law.
• Romans 10:3For not knowing about God’s righteousness [which is based on faith], and seeking to establish their own [righteousness based on works], they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
• Proverbs 1:28Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,
• Luke 13:24“Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.
• Hebrews 12:17For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears.
• Romans 11:5So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according to God’s gracious choice.
• Romans 8:28And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
• Romans 9:23And what if He has done so to make known the riches of His glory to the objects of His mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory,
• Ephesians 1:4just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].
• 1 Peter 1:2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].
• Isaiah 6:10Make the heart of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Commentaries on Romans 11:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7What then? - What is the real state of the case before us? Israel - the body of the Jewish people, have not obtained that which they so earnestly desire, i.e. to be continued, as they have been hitherto, the peculiar people of God; but the election hath obtained it - as many of them as have believed in Jesus Christ, and accepted salvation through him: this is the grand scheme of the election by grace; God chooses to make those his peculiar people who…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7What then? - What is the proper conclusion from this argument? “Israel hath not obtained.” That is, the Jews as a people have not obtained what they sought. They sought the favor of God by their own merit; and as it was impossible to obtain it in that manner, they have, as a people, failed of obtaining his favor at all, and will be rejected. That which he seeketh for - To wit, salvation by their own obedience to the Law. The election hath - The purpose of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8The others were hardened: Scripture describes this hardening as something God allows or brings about as part of his judgment. God permits people to remain unresponsive when they persist in rejecting his message. See Acts 13:46–48; 18:6.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 7-107-10. What then?--How stands the fact? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for--better, "What Israel is in search of (that is, Justification, or acceptance with God--see on Ro 9:31); this he found not; but the election (the elect remnant of Israel) found it, and the rest were hardened," or judicially given over to the "hardness of their own hearts."Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 11:7

• Predestination
• Reprobacy
• Salvation
• Unbelief

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Cast
• Conclude
• Dark
• Depth
• Election
• Emulation
• Grace

Commentaries on Romans 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings